Information sharing has been a crucial factor in the success of business operations and management for decades and the recent introduction of cloud computing technology has provided a more advanced and secure approach to this method. For one, it has made it possible for companies and organizations to digitally store, access and protect data any time, wherever they are in the world.

When cloud computing took over the corporate world, it rendered obsolete the need to have a data storage facility that can be easily vulnerable to breach. The cloud, as a platform, has enabled access and sharing of resources from pools of data with lower cost, minimal effort, and a more centralized approach.

One essential reason for turning to the cloud and its services is how it allows companies to concentrate on their organization’s core businesses instead of allotting more resources on physical infrastructure as well as maintenance. As a low-cost alternative, organizations no longer have to worry about up-front costs for IT infrastructure.

According to the technology’s proponents, cloud computing technology will lead enterprises to the convenience and efficiency of running their applications faster, providing better manageability, without the further responsibilities of regular maintenance. Most importantly, with cloud computing, IT teams can easily respond to and adapt to the most unpredictable demands of adjusting and managing resources.

Innovators like Microsoft and Amazon are the leading companies that are at the forefront of cloud computing. These two technology giants, through Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Azure, aims help organizations gain access to the high-capacity networks and low-cost, cloud-based storage devices – and these are just are just some of the several benefits that this technology has to offer.

The modern world has introduced new challenges to investing. While the basics of the trade still remain the same, investors are faced with present opportunities, options, and dilemmas that can make or unmake their chances of success.

It’s true that most investors learn their lessons the hard way, but it can be equally productive to also discover new and useful things from the best players on the field. Here are some of the most important pieces of advice from the world’s greatest investors and how you can use them to your advantage.

“It’s far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price.” – Warren Buffett

In his letter to his shareholders in 1989, Warren Buffett, an American investor, philanthropist, chairman, and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, and perhaps the greatest investor of his time, revealed one of the most important tenets that shaped his investment strategy: invest in companies that you can fully understand, regardless of its present finances. More importantly, it should be one of which their intrinsic value is self-evident.

“Do you really like a particular stock? Put 10% or so of your portfolio on it. Make the idea count. Good [investment] ideas should not be diversified away into meaningless oblivion.” – Bill Gross

PIMCO co-founder, Bill Gross, also manages one of the world’s largest bond funds, PIMCO Total Return Fund. Here, he speaks about his ultimate rule in portfolio management and diversification. It’s a common rule that when investing in stocks, never put all your capital into one name – but what Gross emphasizes that if you want to make money in the stock market, make research-based decisions and informed ideas when choosing one or more stocks.

“If you have trouble imaging a 20% loss in the stock market, you shouldn’t be in stocks.” –Jack Bogle

Jack Bogle is the founder and former chief executive of the Vanguard Group. As a veteran in the trade and an expert in investing in the stock market, he points out one truth that most of the time, intimidates young investors: Losses are a part of reality in investing in the stock market. If you don’t have the grit and the courage to face them, then you shouldn’t be in stocks in the first place.

The super rich live an exclusive and extravagant lifestyle that ordinary people can only imagine. In fact, everything that they put an interest in has a big price tag attached to it – and one perfect example is traveling. Billionaires, celebrities, and heirs to multimillion dollar companies: where do the uber-wealthy spend their lavish vacations?

Here are some of the most favorite travel destinations for billionaires and tycoons.

Caribbean

The Caribbean easily ranks as one of the top places where billionaires travel. Aside from being one of the leading offshore investment centers in the world where high net-worth individuals flock, thousands of idyllic islands surrounding the region boast a genuine and exclusive experience of traveling in paradise. Top islands in the region include The Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and British Virgin Islands.

The Maldives

The Maldives is major luxury destination among the rich and famous, peppered all over by private island-paradises owned by equally wealthy individuals. This tiny Indian Ocean archipelago has welcomed many wealthy famous celebrities including Michael Phelps, Russell Brand, Katy Perry, and royal couple Prince William & Princess Kate.

Fiji

Fiji is home to over 300 islands located in the South Pacific. This famous travel destination is known for its clear lagoons, a rich abundance of coral reefs, and their mesmerizing rugged landscapes. Most importantly, the destination is popular among tycoons and billionaires who found their second home and bought their own islands.

Laucala Island, for example, is owned by the Australian Red Bull tycoon Dietrich Mateschitz and while it was once a private refuge of the late Malcolm Forbes, it was transformed into an exclusive resort favored by the world’s richest.

Estate Planning is one of the most avoided conversations especially for people who believe that they should celebrate life more than think about what is going to happen when it’s finally over. However, the truth is, setting your financial goals after you die by ensuring that your assets are protected and your family is taken care of, is a critical step that you should focus on as early as now. Why?

You know too well that you have worked so hard to establish your wealth and provide for the people you love. But what will happen to the fruits of your hard work after you die? Without proper planning, something as unexpected as death can all just tear down everything that you have built.

If you want to protect your wealth and your assets, consider these key components of Estate Planning.

1. A Will can make sure that the individual’s wishes, as well as the distribution among heirs, will be easily carried out after death.

2. In some cases, individuals deploy Trust as a way of securing their assets (living or after death), providing legal protection of their wealth and managing them later on according to their wishes. It is made up of three participating parties: the trustor, the trustee, and the beneficiary.

3. A Power of Attorney is a major component that strengthens a strategic Estate Planning. The Healthcare Power of Attorney, for instance, lets you assign a particular person as your decision-maker when it comes to healthcare concerns. This component also lets you outline your wishes at the moment of incapacitation, illness or death.

For a greater understanding of the many ways to protect your assets and estate, consult with investment experts at LOM Financial. Visit their official website HERE.

Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates are often tagged as two of the richest men in modern history, and it’s not an exaggeration that combined, they actually hold the world’s biggest wealth with their net-worth of $130 billion and $91 billion, respectively. They own one of the largest tech companies in the world, which both play key roles in numerous investment portfolios, including offshore mutual funds based in the likes of Bermuda, Cayman Islands, and Bahamas. While these men occupy the pedestal as the wealthiest people today, digging deeper into the history of the world will reveal an astonishing discovery of richness beyond comprehension.

Here are the wealthiest human beings of all history:

Mansa Musa of Mali

Image source: allthatsinteresting.com

The West African conqueror led the Mali Empire in the 1300s and has amassed a wealth so massive that no one could ever describe the entirety of it. Mansa Musa is often considered as the richest person in human history, according to scholars and historians, because his empire was the largest producer of a highly-valuable precious metal: gold. The emperor was known for his lavish spending that once caused a currency crisis in Egypt during his 200,000-troop pilgrimage to the holy land of Mecca.

Augustus Caesar of Rome

Image source: marketwatch.com

The Roman Empire, before its fall, was once the most powerful in the world not only as a military force but an economic giant. Led by Augustus Caesar, Rome used to own almost 30 percent of the whole world’s economic output. The emperor alone controlled 20 percent of the empire’s economic prowess, which is estimated to have cost over $4 trillion in 2014 standard value.

Emperor Shenzong of China

Image source: wikipedia.com

The Chinese emperor lived from 1048 through 1085 under the Song Dynasty and was one of the world’s wealthiest people of all time. If you’re familiar with the history of this part of Asia, you’ll discover that among all the Chinese imperial periods, the Song was the most economically powerful not only in the continent but throughout the world. At the top of its economic peak, Emperor Shenzong’s centralized power also comes with the full control of the empire’s economic wealth, which was estimated to fall from 25 to 30 percent of the global GDP.

When buy and sell decisions are under the discretion of an investment manager, clients have the assurance that their portfolio is well organized and in good hands, thanks to the expertise and experience that this type of asset management has to offer.

However, it’s not that easy to find an exceptional discretionary portfolio manager, unless you know where to look. There are several financial centers scattered all over the world but topping the list are offshore financial centers located near or within the Caribbean region. Here are the three most trusted financial centers and what they have to offer when it comes to offshore discretionary portfolio management.

Bermuda is home to several financial offshore services and it includes offshore discretionary management that caters to high net-worth individuals from every part of the globe. One of this financial location’s known strengths is its popularity in helping their clients build a strategic portfolio because of its connection to different investment assets. One example is its access to hundreds of mutual funds that strive for building a valuable and sustainable portfolio.

Cayman’s tax-neutral status is not the only factor that makes it one of the top providers of discretionary portfolio management services. This jurisdiction provides tailor-made policies for foreign investments, with a legal system that protects and gives freedom to professional service providers in making the best financial decisions for their clients.

One of the goals of this jurisdiction is to create a globally competitive financial sector especially when it comes to private wealth management and capital investment. Thanks to the foreign-friendly investment policies created by the Bahamian government, its financial sector is able to present a globally-accepted set of regulations that have benefited services such as portfolio management for international clients.

In the next ten years (or even earlier), the Asia Pacific region is expected to come on top as the most important component of the global economy, not only boosting the markets of its member countries but also providing positive gains for foreign direct investments.

According to the 2017 Regional Economic Outlook report, Asia and the Pacific were expected to lead the global growth, with a 5.4% increase in 2018—and the forecast did not disappoint international investors looking for opportunities in this emerging investment hub.

There are several factors that made the Asia-Pacific market highly favored by international investors. For instance, the demographic advantage of the region—with about half of the world’s population—makes it a pool of billions of consumers, facilitating to a highly dynamic market. Led by China, the region’s impressive population delivers a combined GDP that makes the regional market the most productive in the world.

It is also a fact that every country in the region is home to the world’s biggest economies like Japan, China, Australia, and India, as well as emerging markets like Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam, among others. Moreover, the growing population of young middle class among Asia-Pacific nations especially in Southeast Asia has continued to help their economies grow. The increase in consumption and public spending are the direct results of this growth, providing an optimistic forecast for regional market’s current and future investors.

Last but the most important factor is, Asia-Pacific’s sudden yet effective shift in its member country’s trading behavior. Unlike before when they relied on their economic trading partners from Western powers like North America and Europe, intra-regional trading became the norm and the pattern is expected to further boost the region’s rapidly advancing economy.

Many of the world’s offshore financial centers are also taking notice of Asia Pacific’s massive potential as a fertile ground in which to grow dynamic investment portfolios for international investors. The likes of LOM Financial have built up offshore mutual funds specifically designed to take advantage of the growth of emerging markets, which include many of the region’s economies.

Farm animals play a significant role in our society. In fact, they are among the most traded commodities in the world. They provide us food, clothing, medicine, and other products. Whether as a source of food or income, farm animals immensely matter.

Today’s modern technology has enabled farmers to improve animal welfare, enhance farming methods, and increase food production. Listed below are the most common types of farm animals raised by farmers from many developed and developing countries around the world.

Chickens

There are hundreds of chicken breeds across the globe, mostly raised in factory farms and fewer ones in the backyards. Chickens are normally slaughtered or placed in the market after 6 to 20 weeks, for profit. It takes approximately 21 days for a fertilized chicken egg to hatch. Among nutritionists, chicken meat is considered to be a healthier source of protein than red meat. The world’s largest poultry farms are in China, the United States, and Australia.

Cattle

Cattle are bred for two different purposes: beef cows are raised specifically for meat production while dairy cows are bred for their ability to produce fresh milk. These type of cattle have distinct physical differences, as dairy cattle are typically thinner and leaner while beef cattle are focused on building a more muscular and fatter body in order to produce high-quality of meat (beef). Although it requires huge investment in time, land and money, cattle production can be the most profitable livestock to raise for business. The United States has a massive beef market which produces nearly 20 percent of the world’s beef, followed by Brazil with 15 percent, and the European Union with almost 13 percent.

Sheep

This type of domestic animal is typically shed and kept as livestock and can live for up to 10 to 12 years. They have been used for centuries for clothing, meat, and in the field of medicine. The major products we obtain from sheep are lamb (meat from sheep under 1 year of age), mutton (meat from sheep older than 1 year of age), wool (for clothing and cosmetics), and milk (ideal for making cheese and other dairy products). In terms of sheep population, countries like China, Australia, India, Sudan, and Iran top the list, while the European Union is the world’s largest sheep meat consumer.

Ducks

Ducks produce larger eggs than the usual size of a chicken’s egg, and contain higherprotein but with less cholesterol. Duck production is dominated by China which boast of a vast number of duck breeds. The country was able to produce more than 700 thousand ducks in 2005.

Pigs

Domestic pigs are raised mainly for their meat (pork). According to Statista, net production of pork worldwide amounted to about 109.85 million tons carcass weight in 2016, with mainland China being the world’s largest producer. With this type of domestic animal, it is important to provide enough space for their shelter, fresh air with warm temperature, and proper hygiene.

A 2016 research focused on economically powerful countries like the United States and Japan has revealed a significant relationship between demographic changes and the trend of economic growth. The study further suggests that the dramatic shift towards an aging population can possibly lead to a decreasing GDP growth over the next decades.

The question of whether or not demography affects the economy is not a new one. The fact that economic growth greatly depends on productivity gains is a clear indication that the increase or decrease in workforce population can have a significant effect on a country’s economic output.

However, it’s important to point out that the effect of population growth can either be positive or negative depending on the circumstances. For countries with a large population, stable workforce and enough resources, the number can be a huge asset for economic growth. On the other hand, nations with a larger population, limited resources coupled with a high unemployment rate will tell a different story.

The effect of an aging workforce

Demographics, as some economists conclude, is the hardest to overcome among a list of factors that affects growth not only in the U.S. but also in other countries with a steadily and slowly declining working-age population.

People have different ideas on how they want to spend retirement and while most want to live through their golden years in relaxation and pleasure, some dream of finally pursuing their interests and turning them into winning entrepreneurial ideas.

If you belong to the latter and you’re planning to launch your own business after you retire, here are some options that can turn your talent and interests into income.

Start your own consulting firm.

You can use your years of experience and deep expertise in your field to inspire and educate others. This is also the best way to help your brain and body stay active, utilizing the skills and talent that you have honed through the years by helping others find their own path.

The good thing about this option is you can operate from home and just make use of the physical and virtual tools available to you.

Transform your interests into a business.

Perhaps you want to do something that it totally outside for your professional field of expertise and take time focus on your interests, the hobbies that you did not have enough time for when you were still a busy employee.

For instance, why don’t love turn your love for art and crafts into an income-generating project? Maybe you can host a workshop for fellow seniors who want to practice their artistic side?

How about your love for gardening? With it, you can start a gardening business that can include selling gardening tools and products.

Open a cozy Bed-and-Breakfast Inn.

If you love meeting people and want to be fully involved in your retirement business, starting a small B&B accommodation can be ideal for you – and it only requires a relatively low startup cost.

This business option is perfect for retired couples who wish to stay active while earning a steady income to pay the bills and other home maintenance expenses.